Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs)
Recipes
7 recipes containing this substance
Black Bean & Sweet Potato Vegetable Chilli
A fibre-rich bean and vegetable chilli with warming spices and slow carbohydrates for steady energy and satiety.
Chocolate Quinoa Crisp Clusters
A delicious cereal-to-snack hybrid with satisfying crunch, steady energy, and a low glycemic profile. Perfect for breakfast or anytime snacking.
Rocket Lentil Avocado Midday Salad (Gut-Supporting)
Polyphenol-rich midday salad with quinoa or lentils, vegetables, avocado, and early harvest olive oil
Salmon & Grated Beetroot Toast (with Lemon)
A fast, brain-forward open sandwich combining omega-3 rich salmon, nitrate/polyphenol beetroot, and lemon acidity for a sharp, savoury bite.
Savoury Greens & Egg Breakfast Skillet
A warm savoury breakfast skillet with eggs, greens, and slow carbohydrates for steady morning energy.
Turkey Wing Stew
A collagen-rich, glycine-heavy slow-cooked stew made from affordable turkey wings — rich in protein, tryptophan, and B vitamins.
Turmeric Lentil Dahl
Turmeric- and ginger-spiced lentil dish rich in fibre, folate, and polyphenols
Foods
45 foods containing this substance
Amaranth
Pseudograin with GABA potential and complete protein
Asparagus
FOS prebiotic fiber and folate source
Barley
Beta-glucan fiber and whole grain for gut health
Bell Peppers
High vitamin C for iron absorption and norepinephrine support
Berries
General category of berry fruits rich in polyphenols
Black Beans
Legume with polyphenols and protein; optimal soaking conditions detailed
Black Goji
C3G anthocyanins for heavy metal chelation and neuroprotection
Cabbage
Base for sauerkraut; fiber and vitamin C
Capers
Highest quercetin content among common foods
Cauliflower
Cruciferous vegetable with fiber and B vitamins
Cherries
General cherry information; see tart cherry for sleep support
Chicory
High inulin content; coffee substitute
Cooled Potatoes
Resistant starch formation through retrogradation for gut health
Cranberries
Polyphenols and resveratrol for microbiome and mitochondrial support
Dairy Products
General category of dairy foods providing protein, calcium, and probiotics
Dandelion Greens
Bitter greens with prebiotic fiber
Garlic
Allicin, sulfur compounds, and prebiotic fiber for gut and antioxidant support
Ghee
Heat-stable clarified butter with butyrate and fat-soluble vitamins
Grapes
Resveratrol source for SIRT1 activation and NAD+ support
Grass-Fed Butter
Butyrate, CLA, vitamins A/D/K2, selenium, and C15:0
Green Bananas
Resistant starch source for gut microbiome support
Jerusalem Artichokes
Highest inulin content among common foods
Kimchi
Fermented vegetables providing probiotics, GABA, and postbiotic compounds
Kombucha
Fermented tea providing probiotics and postbiotics
Leeks
Allium vegetable with prebiotic fiber (FOS)
Lentils
Legume rich in protein, fiber, folate, iron, and prebiotics
Lupins
Legume protein source for vegan diets
Miso
Fermented soybean paste with probiotics and umami flavor
Mucuna Beans
Natural L-DOPA source for dopamine synthesis
Natto
Fermented soybeans with unique Bacillus subtilis and vitamin K2
Oats
Beta-glucans, tryptophan, and B vitamins for gut and neurotransmitter support
Onions
Inulin prebiotic, quercetin, and glutathione precursors
Oranges
Vitamin C for iron absorption enhancement
Parmesan Cheese
CLA, K2, C15:0, and high protein/calcium
Pickles
Fermented vegetables providing GABA-producing bacteria
Purple Potatoes
Anthocyanins (C3G) for heavy metal chelation and neuroprotection
Raspberries
Polyphenol-rich berries with fiber
Sauerkraut
Fermented cabbage providing Lactobacillus probiotics
Seaweed
Iodine, EPA (in red algae), magnesium, and trace minerals
Sourdough Bread
Fermented bread with GABA, improved amino acid bioavailability, and optimized Maillard products
Strawberries
Polyphenol-rich berries supporting cognitive function
Tart Cherry
Natural melatonin source for sleep support
Wheat
Whole grain providing B vitamins, fiber, and minerals
Wheat Germ
Choline source and B vitamin-rich grain component
Whole Grains
General category of whole grain foods
To isolate foods by SCFA type (butyrate, propionate, acetate), see the individual substance pages: Butyrate, Propionate, Acetate. The Gut Microbiome biological target page also lists foods by SCFA.
Biological Mechanisms and Implications
| Biological Target | Therapeutic Areas | Mechanism of Action |
|---|---|---|
| Gut Microbiome | Byproduct of fibre fermentation; supports intestinal barrier integrity; regulates immune responses; promotes synthesis of key neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin | |
| Inflammation | Supports immune regulation and anti-inflammatory processes |
References
- ADHD group exhibiting significantly lower levels of key SCFAs, including acetic, propionic, isobutyric, isovaleric, and valeric acids Steckler et al. 2024
- A decreased microbial diversity (alpha diversity) has also been reported in ADHD Prehn-Kristensen et al. 2018
- Butyrate and other SCFA deficiencies have been linked to many neurological disorders including ADHD Fan et al. 2019
- Butyrate deficiencies linked to ASD and melatonin production, with relevance to ADHD populations due to symptom crossover Checa-Ros et al. 2021
- Butyrate has anti-inflammatory effects, potentially reducing neuroinflammation associated with ADHD
- Butyrate supports mitochondrial function, enhancing brain energy metabolism, which may help with cognitive impairments seen in ADHD Rose et al. 2018
- Butyrate aids in reducing cholesterol and neuroinflammation Cavaliere et al. 2022
- Propionate helps reduce neuroinflammation and enhance cognitive function while protecting the blood-brain barrier Hoyles et al. 2018
- Propionate stimulates secretion of norepinephrine and might influence dopamine regulation Mirzaei et al. 2021
- SCFAs support intestinal barrier integrity, regulate immune responses, and promote synthesis of key neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin Silva et al. 2020